NHC Says Tropical Disturbance Poorly Defined

NHC Says Tropical Disturbance Poorly Defined

The low pressure area circling in the Atlantic appears to be pushing east and becoming less defined, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft flew over the area Thursday and reported that the circulation associated with the system was poorly defined, but a tropical depression or tropical storm could still from as the system moves west and northwest across the Lesser Antilles at around 20 mph.

In terms of direction, new models Thursday showed the system staying away from the gulf.

“Most data continues to point to the wave and whatever may develop staying well east of the area,” WGNO Meteroligist Hank Allen said. “That seems like the most likely scenario at this point, but of course we will keep our eye on it through the weekend.”

The tropical disturbance has a 50 percent chance of developing into a tropical storm over the next 48 hours and a 70 percent chance of developing into a storm over the next five days.

An Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft is scheduled to investigate the system again Friday afternoon.